Curtain stretcher



Jan. 17, 1933. F. c. AMOS CURTAIN STRETCHER Filed July 1, 1932 L Qwuemtoz Patented Jan. 17, 1933 arras srrs asics FRANCES C. AMOS, OF STRATFORD, CQNNECTICUT CURTAIN STRETCHER Application filed July 1, 1932.

f ticular relation to a means whereby curtains of various lengths and widths may be stretched and dried on any suitable support, as a door, frame or the like.

An object of the invention is to provide a means whereby curtains may be stretched and dried on any suitable support, as a door or other means, or any frame of the required size and having a pair of spaced edges, and by which the curtains can be applied and stretched much more easily and in a more satisfactory manner, with straighter edges and smoother than with the ordinary curtain stretchers.

Another object is to provide a means as stated and in which all parts may be easily removed from a door or other support used as part of the curtain stretcher and drier or which may include a certain few parts to be permanently secured to the door or other support.

A further obj ect is to provide a means having the characteristics stated and which includes but a relatively few parts whereby it may he produced at low cost, and wherein the parts may be easily and quickly applied to a door or to a frame or other suitable support to provide a curtain stretcher and drier.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein satisfactory embodiments of the invention are shown. However, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

ln the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view showing the means of the present invention in use, mounted on a4 door and stretching a curtain, part of the curtain being omitted;

Fig. 2 is an edge view taken at right angles to Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view taken sub- Ser'ial No. 620,356.

stantially along the line 3-8 of Fig. l the l.

view being on an enlarged scale;

Fig. Ll is a detail View in top plan and on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 5 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 5

l and showing the manner of mounting a rufed curtain;

F 1g. 6 1s a sectional detail view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5 but 60 on an enlarged scale;

Fio'. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a slightly modified arrangement; and

Fig. 8 is an edge view taken at right angles to Fig. 7

Referring in detail to the drawing, and at 65 first particularly to Figs. 1 through 4 thereof, the means of the present invention is shown as mounted on a door 10 of any or the usual construction. However, as the description proceeds it will become apparent that the device may also be applied to any suitable available frame whereby the invention is useful outdoors for the purpose of stretching and drying curtains, or it may be applied to an inside or outside wall or any other suitable support. c

As shown in the drawing the means of the invention includes three brackets or hangers 11, 12 and 13 each including a substantially U-shaped portion to hook over the upper 80 edge of a door or over the edge of a frame or the like. These brackets are arranged in spaced relation along the upper edge of door 10 and brackets 11 and 13 may be identical and it will be noted that bracket 12 is 85 approximately twice the width of either of the other brackets. Each bracket includes an eye or loop portion 14 having a square or other non-circular opening therethrough, and these lloop portions receive and support a stay bar 15 which may comprise sections 16 and 17. y

The stay bar 15 or the sections 16 and k17 forming said bar are formed ofstock cross sectionally non-circular, and it is preferred that the cross section of this stock correspond with the openings through the loops or eyes la whereby the stay bar is supported against turning movement by the hangers or brackets. A bar of substantially square cross sec- 35 in spaced tion makes a very satisfactory bar. Since Ythe intermediate bracket 12 is wider, say of doublethe width, than either of the other brackets the abutting ends of the sections 16 and 17 of the stay bar are disposed in the eye portion of bracket Y12 while the sections themselves are threaded through the eyes of the brackets 11 and 13 respectively. Obviously the stay bar may be made in one piece although the sectional arrangement is preferred since when the device is not in use the sections occupy little spaceand may be easily stored. They can also be made up in smaller packageswhen sold.

15 Eachof the sections 16 and 17 has its outer end portion bent to extend forwardly whereby to provide arms 18, and in addition to 'extending forwardly these arms Vare bent to incline upwardly at a slight angle whereby should the hangers or brackets rock as suggested in Fig. 2 the said arms will not be disposed below horizontal position. The arms 18 are adapted to support a curtain rod 19 threadedtlirough the hem of a curtain 20.

The rod is 'simply disposed on the arms 18 and'if desired each arm adjacent its end may beturned up as shown atQl to prevent the curtain rod sliding off the arm.

Brackets or hangers Q2, Q3 and 2a are provided' and these brackets are substantially the same construction as those previously re ferred to, and eachincludes a substantially ill-shaped portionto receive the .lower edge 0f.the door 10,` and the brackets are arranged relation along the lower-'edge of the door. Each of the brackets 22, 23 and 24 includes an eye portion 25, and it will be `noted that the intermediate bracket or the bracket 23 is considerably wider, say of sub- 40 stantially twice the width of either of the other brackets. These brackets are used to mount an attaching rod 26 which may be lformed in'onet'piece Vor which may include sections 27 and Q8 as preferred. The section Z7 isthreadedthroughthe eye of bracket 22 and into the eye of bracket 23 while the sec- :tion 28 is threaded throught-he eye of bracket 24 and'into the eye of bracket 23.

After the stay bar 15 is mounted on the .upperyportion of the door or other frame the vcurtain rod 19 having the curtain 2O thereon vmaybe disposed on the armsv of the stay bar as already set forth. The curtain rod 19 may be of any or the usual construction and may 'infact be the rod used for handing the curtain at a window. Either before or after .the curtain isproperly arranged and spread on the rod19 the attaching rod Q6 mounted y onthe lower portion of the door as above described. If the curtain has a hem at its 'loWer'end a curtain rod 29 may be threaded through the lower hem and then the end portionsof said curtain rod Q9 are secured to the end'portions of the attaching rod 26 as by C5 means Vof lengths of tape 30 tied to the at taching rod and to the end portions of curtain rod 29. Before the tape 30 is tied the curtain will be properly spread along the rod 29 and the tapes will be drawn and tied to place the proper tension on the curtain. w

Obviously, different lengths of tape may be used whereby different lengths of curtains may be accommodated, or a tapeflong enough for the shortest curtain can be used 'for all lengths, and since the rods in each instance are disclosed as being of considerable length it will be apparent that curtains of various widths may be accon'ni'iodated. As suggested at 20a and 20?) a number of curtains may be hung from the arms 18 by means of curtain rods, and of course by using separate tapes the lower end ofa. number of curtains may be connected with the attaching rod 26. It will be apparent that the devicemay be easily and quickly mounted on and removed from a door or other support whereby a curtain stretcher is easily and quickly provided, and whereby after the curtains are properly stretched and dried the parts may be taken down and stowed.

In Figs. 5 and v6 the parts are substantially the same as those already described and where 'the parts are the same the identical reference characters are employed. These figures disclose the use of the improved means in yconnection with the stretching and drying of a ruliled curtain 31. A curtain rod 19 is threaded through the hem of the curtain 31 and then disposed on the arms 18 of the stay bar 15. Generally, the lower ends of ruied curtains are not provided with hems andito take care of this situation a tubular fabriccase 32 is'provided by stitching together the edges of a strip of fabric. This case can then'be pinned or otherwise secured to the lower end portion of the curtain as shown at 33 and the curtainrod29 inserted through it. The curtain can then be mounted and stretched as indicated.

The tapes 30 of'Fig. function to secure the rod 29 to the attaching rod 36 as already described. lhile the ruflles fiel of the curtain 31 are wet they are likely to droop one on the other in the drying process unless they are supported, and t-o prevent this a tape 35 is trained over the stay bar 18 and the attaching rod 26 so that ithas a port1on dlsposed at each side of the rutile 34.. This tape may be tied as at and the rutlle will be received betweenthe two runs of the tape and frictionally held in the proper position as shown in Fig. Of course. should the curtain not have an upper hem a'fabric case may be pinned to the curtain and slipped over the upper curtain rod 19 so that the upper '125 end portion of the curtain might be secured to the rod.

le'ferring now to lfigsji" and8 `a slightly inodilied arrangement is disclosed and here a series of brackets or guide members are peri manently secured to the door orother frame. These brackets are arranged in pairs and comprise an upper pair 37 and a lower pair 38. Each bracket comprises a substantially U-shaped portion and through said portions ot the brackets 37 there are disposed the sections 39 of an upper stay har, and it will be appreciated that since the brackets are vscrewed to the door or other trame the said brackets will slidably mount the stay bar sections to adjust them for diderent widths of curtains.

Each stay bar section 39 includesa forwardly extending arm 40 and adjacent its outer end each arm may carry an upwardly extending pin 4l corresponding with the pins 2l of the iigures first described. The arms 40 are adapted vto receive and support the curtain rod 19 having the curtain 2O thereon as will be understood. c Brackets 38 slidably receive attaching rod sections 42 and 43 corresponding with the section 27 and 28 ot Fig, l. With this construction after the curtain rod 19 has been disposed on the arms 40 and the curtain properly adjusted or straightened the curtain rod 29 passed through the lower hem of tl e curtain may be secured to the attaching rod sections 42 and 43 by the tapes 30.

It will be apparent that the stay bar vsections 39 and the attaching rod sections 42 and 43 may be adjusted through the respective brackets whereby to adapt the mea-ns for stretching curtains of diiilerent Widths. rlhrough the medium of the tapes 30 used for securing the lower curtain rod 29 to the attaching rod sections 42 and 43 the device is adapted for stretching curtains of ditferent lengths. Obviously, the tapes may be drawn to apply the required tension to the curtain being stretched. It desired the arrangement of Figs. 7 and 8 may be used for simultaneously stretching a plurality of curtains and this is suggested in 8 wherein by broken lines curtains 20a and 20?) are indicated.

it will now be apparent that in the forms of the device first illustrated and described the entire device may be easily and quickly applied to and removed from a door or other support. Further it will be noted that the curtain rods 19 shown in the various iigures may be of any or the usual construction and may be thc rods ordinarily employed for mounting curtains at windows. TWith the arrangement shown in Figs. 7 and 8 all of the parts with the exception of the brackets are easily applied and easily removed, and while the brackets are attached by screws, and thereiore more or less permanently applied they may be disposed on the inner side of a closet door or the like and thus ordinarily be out of sight and out of the way.

Having thus set forth the nature oi' my invention, what I claim is l. ln combination with a support including a pair of spaced edges, a stay bar, means removably mounting said stay bar cn said support adjacent one of its edges, said stay bar adapted to support a curtain rod, an attaching rod, means removably mounting said attaching rod on said support adjacent the opposite edge of the latter, and means for securing a curtain rod to said attaching rod in the desired spaced relation thereto whereby a curtain connected at its respective ends with curtain rods may be stretched and dried. l

2. in combination with a support including pair ot spaced edges, a stay bar, means removably mounting said stay bar on said support adj acentv one ct its edges, said stay bar including spaced portions extending outwardly with respect to said support, said outwardly extending portions adapted to receive and support a curtain rod, an attaching rod, means removably mounting said attaching rod on said support adjacent the opposite end oi3 the latter, and means for securing a curtain rod to said att-aching rod in the desired spaced relation thereto whereby a curtain connected at its respective ends with curtain rods may be stretched and dried.

3. 1n combination with `a support including a pair or" spaced edges, a stay bar, means removably mounting said stay bar on said support adjacent one edge ot the lat-ter, said means securing said stay bar against turning movement, said stay bar including spaced arms extending outwardly with respect yto said support, said arms adapted to receive `and support a curtain rod, an attaching rod,

means removably,T mounting said attaching rod on said support adjacent the opposite edge of the latter, and means Jor securing a curtain rod to said attaching rod the desired spaced relation thereto whereby a curtain connected at its respective ends with curtain rods may be stretched and dried.

4. In combination with a support including a pair of spaced edges, a stay bar, means including hook like portions disposed over one edge ot said support and mounting said stay bar on the support adjacent said edge, said stay bar adapted to support a curtain rod, an attaching rod, means removably mounting' said attaching rod on said support ILL adjacent the opposite end of the latter, and means for securing a curtain rod to said attaching rod in the desired spaced relation thereto whereby a curtain connected at its respective ends with curtain rods may be stretched and dried.

In combination with a support including a pair oi spaced edges, a. stay bar. means removably mounting said stay bar on said support adjacent one of its edges, said stay bar adapted to support a curtain rod, an attaching rod, means including hook like portions disposed over the other edge of said support and mounting said attaching rod on the support adjacent said other edgerof the latter, and means for securing a curtain rod to said attaching rod in the desired-spaced relation thereto whereby a` curtain connected at its respective ends with curtain rods may be stretched and dried.

6. In combination with a support including a pair of spaced edges, a stay bar, means including hook like portions disposed over one edge of said support and mounting said stay bar on the support adjacent said edge, said stay bar adapted to support a curtain rod, an attaching rod, means including hook like portions disposed over the other edge of said support and mounting said attaching rod on the support adjacent said other edge of the latter, and means for securing a curtain rod to said attaching rod in the desired spaced relation thereto whereby a curtain corrnected at its respect-ive ends with curtain rods may be stretched and dried.

7. In combination with a support including a pair of spaced edges, a stay bar, means removably mounting said stay bar on said support adjacent one of its edges, said stay bar adapted to support a curtain rod, an attaching rod, means removably mounting said attaching rod on said support adjacent the opposite edge of the latter, and flexible tapes for securing the end portion of a curtain rod to the end port-ions of said attaching rod whereby a curtain connected at its respective ends with curtain rods may be stretched and dried.

8. In combination with a support including a pair of spaced edges, a stay bar, means removably mounting said stay bar on said support adjacent one of its edges, a curtain rod supported on said stay bar, an attaching rod, means removably mounting said attaching rod on said support adjacent the opposite edge of the latter, a. second curtain rod, means'for securing said second curtain rod to the attaching rod in the desired spaced relation thereto whereby a curtain connected at its respective ends with said curtain rods may be stretched and dried, and a fabric case about one of said curtain rods whereby a curtain may be pinned thereto.

9. In combination with a support including a pair of spaced edges, a stay bar, means removably mounting said stay bar on said support adjacent one of its edges, said stay bar adapted to support a curtain rod, an attaching rod, means removably mounting said attaching rod on said support adjacent the opposite edge of the latter, means for securing a curtain rod to said attaching rod in the desired spaced relation thereto whereby a curtain connected at its respective ends with curtain rods may be stretched and dried, and a tape trained over said stay bar and said attaching rod and adapt-ed to support a rutile of a curtain being stretched and dried.

10. In combination with a support having a pair of spaced edges, a pair of stay bar sections, a pair of brackets secured to said support adjacent one of its edges and slidably receiving said stay bar sections, said sections adapted to support a curtain rod, an attaching rod, means removably mounting said attaching-rod on said support adjacent the opposite edge of the latter and means for securing acurtain rod to said attaching rod in the desired spaced relation thereto whereby a curtain connected at its respective ends with curtain rods may be stretched and dried.

1l. In combination with a support including a pair of spaced edges, a stay bar, means removably mounting said stay bar on said support adjacent one of its edges, said stay bar adapted to support a curtain rod, a pair of attaching rod sections, a pair of brackets secured to said support adjacent its opposite edge and slidably receiving said attaching rod sections` and means for securing a curtain rod to said attaching rod sections in the desired spaced relation thereto whereby a curtain connected at its end with curtain rods may be stretched and dried.

12. In combination with a support having a pair of spaced edges, a pair of stay bar sections, a pair of brackets secured to said support adjacent one of its edges and slida-bly receiving said stay bar sections, said sections adapted to support a curtain rod, a pair of attaching rod sections, a. pair of brackets secured to said support adjacent its opposite edge and slidably receiving said attaching rod sections, and means for securing a curtain rod to said attaching rod sections in the desired spaced relation thereto whereby a curtain connected at its ends with curtain rods may be stretched and dried.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

FRANCES C. AMOS. 

